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Chemosmoker (Eric) has passed

bingbing2009

Posts: 179
Joined: Feb 2011

Mar 20, 2012 - 4:13 pm

Posted by Michelle at Facebook:

“Thank you Jen for posting this morning. My dearest, loving husband slipped away from us this morning, surrounded by friends and myself. He was tired and needed to be finished with this journey. I am very saddened and relieved all at once. Grief stricken and heavy I tell you all that he is precious and carefree now. Much love to all and I will post more as I can.”

Eric and his courage will be missed by many. Michelle, know that I am holding yo up at this time and in your time of sorrow you can know that you were his strongest supporter. God Bless now and for ever. Sam

It is with a very heavy heart that I read that Eric has left us. I always have admired his courage and sense of humor in dealing with the challenges of living with cancer. May God welcome Eric into his light and provide Michelle with peace and support during this very difficult time.

I am so sorry for all of us who have lost Eric and his joy of life. I will treasure what I learned from Eric. I am heartbroken for Michelle. But I honestly have to say that I'm glad that Eric has broken free of the EC chains that held him down these last few weeks. He had been able to keep the chains loose for some time, but these last weeks had tightened those chains.

Michelle - You have been a Superwoman in my eyes. Your quiet ability to accept Eric's choices with grace, your attentive love, your steadfast calm and caring - all exceptional.

I pray for peace for you and your family. Glad that Eric had those closest to him around him when God called.

Even though I already posted at the FB site, I had to echo some of the other sentiments on here. I am heartbroken that Eric has lost his battle with EC, but I have wonderful memories that I will have forever. The BANTERING back and forth between Lee and Eric was too funny. I'm sure Lee welcomed him with a cup of coffee and a smoke! I enjoyed everything that Eric had to say--he truly had personality plus! Michelle, you were a fantastic caregiver--Eric was one lucky man to have such a great wife.
My thoughts, prayers, and hugs go out to you.

My thoughts and prayers are with you now at this difficult time. When you're ready, please be rejoin us, your cyber friends, on here and on the EC Facebook page. I have no profound words, just know that I am so sorry.
Hugs and Love
Rita

I'm so saddened by Eric's passing that I hardly know what to say. I know you and he knew this day would come, but that doesn’t help at all, does it? As I said in an earlier post, from my first post Eric was so supportive and even “yelled” at me (with his inevitable CAPS! lol) for saying I felt guilty for “only” being Stage 1. He reminded me I was blessed for my early diagnosis and it actually cheered him to hear stories like mine. I was terrified at the time and he lent me some of his deep strength, and I’ll never forget him (or Lee) for that. Tears are rolling down my cheeks as I write this.

I hope you are able to find peace in this terrible time, especially knowing that our dear Eric is at last at peace and pain free. He was a fabulous human being and we will miss his posts and his ability to share his courage with all of us.

Even though we knew the time was close, it is hard, knowing we'll not be able to enjoy Erics humor again. Michelle, the two of you were a couple to be looked up to and admired for the strength you both shared with us.
My thoughts and prayers are with you,
Sandra

Eric was one of the first people greet me on this miserable journey, as was Michelle. His good humor and joy of life really stood out, and his choices as a Stage IV were understandable. He will be missed by all of us who are left behind.

I would read Eric's posts around the time that I first started lurking (early November, when my Mom was diagnosed Stage 3). I remember his big smile in his profile pic, and all of the life and humor in his posts. I'm very sad that he was robbed of his time here on earth due to EC, but I do believe that he is an angel in another capacity. My sincerest thoughts are with his wife and family. God bless you Eric.

Words fail me and I want you to know how much I admire both you and Eric for sharing your journey, love, faith and humor with all of us. I will think of Eric with his toes in the sand standing in the sunshine. He is free from pain. Take the days to come moment by moment and know we are all here praying for you and sending love your way.

THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH FOR ALLOWING ALL OF US TO RIDE ALONG WITH YOU. IT IS AMAZING HOW YOU CAN ACTUALLY BECOME FRIENDS AND EVEN FEEL LOVE FOR PEOPLE YOU HAVE NEVER MET. YOU BOTH HAVE DEFINED THE WORDS 'FRIEND' AND 'LOVE'.

WE ARE THINKING OF YOU MICHELLE AND PRAYING FOR PEACE AND BEAUTIFUL FUN MEMORIES OF YOUR SWEETHEART TO PROVIDE COMFORT FOR YOU.

ERIC - MY ROCKSTAR HERO! I KNOW THAT HEAVEN GAINED THE MOST WONDERFUL ANGEL TODAY. WILL YOU BE THE SANDMAN ANGEL, THE EC ANGEL, OR THE 'HEY - IT'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT' ANGEL? WHATEVER ANGEL YOU CHOOSE TO BE - I KNOW IN MY HEART THAT YOU'RE GONNA ROCK IT RIGHT OUT BIG TIME.

I posted this on FB, but wanted to share it here where Eric and Michelle have been such a big part of our lives.

Eric truly did it HIS way, and, even at the end, accomplished 2 more goals of making it to St. Patrick's Day and Spring! He will be greatly missed by all of us who never knew him in person, but were so inspired and informed by him on CSN. Of course, Michelle, you played such a big part, also, in inspiring us and enabling Eric to keep meeting goals. I'm praying for peace and rest for you right now and just putting one foot in front of the other. Please keep in touch! We don't want to lose both of you.

So sorry to hear of Eric's passing. He brought so much to this board, so much humor and loving advice. He was a one of a kind, special person. While I am so sad to hear this news, I am glad that he is not suffering anymore and as someone already mentioned, has met up with our Lee and joined him in an EC less life. My heart goes out to you Michelle, I know how much you loved him and made his days better. My thoughts and prayers to all of your family and yourself. many hugs,
Donna70

To hear of Eric's passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to Michelle, his family and friends. I could tell from his posts that he was a courageous, funny, strong man. I can also totally relate to being both griefstricken and relieved all at the same time.

You and Eric were such an inspiration to me and others here.
I'm very saddened by your loss. I think one message I got loud and
clear from Eric is "living is for living" and cancer shouldn't
change that - if anything, it should intensify it. I respect and
admire his choices and you for being the supportive loving person
you are.

Thank you both for being here for all of us.
Please accept my sincerest sympathies for you and all your family
and friends in this loss.

Michelle, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I have stood where you are and know the feelings you are going through. I guess even though we think we are prepared, saying it and living it are two different things. All my prayers to you and your family at this time.
Cheryl
Wife of Rickie, dx Stage IV EC Oct. 2010
Mets to bones and brain
Lost the battle, Jan. 4, 2012
“Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.” Eskimo Proverb

Dear Michelle
May I send to you my many heartfelt sympathies to you and your family at this most difficult time. I will truly miss seeing "Chemosmoker" posting on this discussion board. May he and my dad, Ray together R I P free of pain and no longer suffering with the beast of EC. Take care of yourself and keep in touch.
Tina in Va

I do know your pain, although I wish you didn't know mine. I can say from experience that your relationship with Eric was taken to a much deeper level during his illness, and one that most people never experience. I feel Bill with me every single minute and hope you will feel Eric with you as well. Take some time to "sit in the dust' with it all. It's all we can do at times. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers. Sending lots of love - Kim

Dear Michelle,
The feeling of loss is so great tonight as I read the post of Eric's passing. I think of you both often when I hear, Free by Zac Brown Band, what you referred to as "our song" on a post. He was a special person that captured so many hearts here on CSN with his open discussion. You added such grace in your thoughtful post. I hope you will let others care for you now as you grieve.

I too wrote to you on fb but wanted to post here too. Eric and lee were one of the first to greet me and let me know that sometimes life over here might just end up being a party at times.
They sure knew how to make me laugh at some of the scarier episodes in life that we all encounter. And as he declined his passion for each day with his family was so palpable and beautiful. I hope the past few months were rich in minutes together And now Eric is light and no more pain to burden his body. My love to you and your kids as you travel this new path. I know the hole is big and that in distant time the hole will mend w memories and forever love.

Only a caregiver can know just how brave and caring you have been Michelle.
Your precious Eric was so lucky to have you on his journey and I wish you
peace and love in this most difficult time.
For Eric, his journey in this life may have come to an end, but he lives
on in the hearts of us all, forever.
How courageous was he!
Your help and encouragement in the last nine months has been invaluable
and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
May God bless and keep your Eric until you meet again.
Payers and love,
Marci x

Eric I read u r posts and the post of ppk wondering why have been off forum and post like these which my fellow members says a lot abt u ... The kind of courage u had the way u lighten the hearts of many on da forum .... May your soul rest in peace .take care my friend

Michelle, I am so sorry to hear the news about Eric. I enjoyed his posts so much, he was a character and an inspiration. I am picturing him wiggling his toes in the sand and being serenaded by Frank Sinatra with "you did it your way".

Wishing you comfort and strength in the coming days. Eric is at peace, now it is time to take care of you.

I am so sorry to hear of Eric's passing. I didn't know him as well as the others, but he was always an inspiration with his attitude. He shared his vulnerability with us and in doing so, taught me so much on how to talk and communicate with my dad.

Thank you all for your wonderful comments and condolences! I know that in Eric last journey on this earth he found himself so very close to so many of you and you held him up in so many ways. He truly faced the beast and did it with dignity and respect. Eric walked even in his last hours. He was so much stronger than I could imagine one person to be and taught me so much about living in this life.

I miss him terribly and would give anything to have EC erased from our history. This simply is not an option. I have been packing and preparing for my move home as my stay here in Florida is sadly coming to an end and I must return north. It is truly an emotional rollercoaster and no matter how much you prepare yourself as much as you think you can for this type of trauma, the pain is unavoidable. I love Eric with all of my heart and always will. I feel him with me each and every day through so many of my daily travels.

Though I am still "functioning" well, I think I can chalk that up to my "auto-pilot".
I will try to log on more after I am back home and settled. Much love and hugs!

Just saw this post. My heart is grieving now and tears are welling up. Eric wrote a lot of supportive posts for me on this site. I know you already know that but I'll say again that you and him have been very important on this site. He will really be missed. Take care

This is a very sad news for all of us. I will miss Eric's uplifting posts, his craving to absorb and appreciate every little thing in life. I don't know if Michelle still visits the forum. If you do, Michelle, my heart goes to you and the family.
Olya

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